Is the network controller driver separate from network adapter

The network adapter is the card (or chipset if integrated on the motherboard) itself, while the controller driver is the software that tells the adapter what to do.  If you are loading the correct driver then you should be able to tell that New Hardware Wizard window to just search for a driver and it should just install.

I have also seen this when the system cannot identify the wireless adapter. Did you reload the driver for your wireless card?

I have an unknown network controll that shows up in my device manager but i know it relates to the intel wireless adapter that i do not use. IF I were to install the adapter driver the error clears.

Hey folks,

Coincidentally I'm running into the same issue.  I reinstalled XP to my old D600.  Everything seems fine, but I keep getting the same question mark next to the Network Controller, even though my Broadcom 57xx adaptor is installed and working.

Here's what I would like to know - when I try to start my PC, and I get the message that new hardware has been found, how can I identify what that hardware is?  I do not know if this machine had a wireless PCI toolset or if it ran with the Intel tools; perhaps I reinstalled drivers in the wrong order (Broadcom before Intel drivers; etc.)

It would be great if I could identify what it is finding so that I know what I need to install.  I have no problem starting the install from scratch if that's what it takes.

I'm chiefly concerned with whether or not my laptop has wireless capability or if I need a PCMCIA net adapter.  Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers,
Phil

seeryous

Go HERE enter you service tag. Click on the orginal configuration tab and it will produce a listing of all that came with you system as shipped. This list can be a bit cryptic so if you have questions you can post the list making sure you do not post any personal info or your service tag.

OK - Here goes. 

Please look to the bottom; I've added some other information...

OK: More info:

1. I know the machine was modified from this original request; there's more memory in it for example, and I'm sure my company may have added or changed other stuff.
2. I wanted to provide some information from the device manager: There are different PCI addresses identified in the device manager for related items.  There is an item called Network Adapters; Broadcom 570x Gigabit Integrated Controller.  It's Location is PCI bus 2, device 0, function 0.  There's another item listed as Other Devices, Network Controller.  It's Location is PCI bus 2, device 3, function 0.  I have NO idea what this device is.
3. I can provide you with the Hardware IDs for both the Broadcom and the mysterious Network Controller.  The vendor info is different:
4. Broadcom: PCI\VEN_14E4&DEV_165D&SUBSYS_865D1028&REV_01
5. Mystery controller: PCI\VEN=8086&DEV_4223&SUBSYS_10208086&REV_05

I don't know if that can help you to help me; I can provide other info if you need.

Thanks!

Phil

OK - I went to Google.  I looked up the hardware tag for PCI\VEN=8086&DEV_4223; I found an XML install that identifies this as an Intel PRO/WIreless 2915ABG Network Connection.  I'm downloading the driver; let's see if that helps...

That was indeed a card that was put into the system. Funny there is no listing for it on your print out , but have seen that before.

One way that I have found sometimes works for these mysterious devices , is that the CD-ROM with the driver database To search for drivers for this mysterious device